Chávez Wins Election by Wide Margin

Venezuelan Leader Gets Mandate to Continue His 'Socialist Revolution' After Routing His Challenger; Health Still an Issue

By

David Luhnow And

José de Córdoba

Updated Oct. 7, 2012 12:01 a.m. ET

CARACAS—Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez soared to a bigger-than-expected victory over his challenger in elections Sunday, surviving the biggest test of his 14 years in power and handing him another six-year mandate to rule the oil-rich nation.

With 90% of the vote counted, official results showed Mr. Chávez and his United Socialist Party of Venezuela winning 54.4% of the votes compared with 45% for Henrique Capriles, a former state...